Pakistan Signs UN Agreement to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan has marked a significant commitment to marine conservation by signing the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The agreement, adopted in June 2023, addresses four critical areas: marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and capacity-building and technology transfer. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan, demonstrating the country's dedication to multilateral cooperation and the preservation of marine biodiversity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan's seabed territory expanded by approximately 50,000 square kilometers in 2015 after a UN body accepted Islamabad's claim for the extension of sea limits.
  • The BBNJ agreement is the third implementing agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994.
  • Pakistan played a leading role in negotiating the BBNJ treaty and represented developing countries as chair of the Group of 77 and China, promoting equity and fair benefit-sharing.
  • The BBNJ agreement addresses four key issues: marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments, and capacity-building and technology transfer.
  • Within Pakistan's territory, Churna Island was designated as the country's second-ever marine protected area to preserve unique but eroding biodiversity.
  • Experts found diverse bird fauna, rich marine habitats, and dozens of coral species at Astola Island in Balochistan in 2020.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan's seabed territory expanded by approximately 50,000 square kilometers in 2015.
  • The BBNJ agreement was adopted on June 19, 2023.
  • Unclos was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994.
  • Churna Island was designated as Pakistan's second-ever marine protected area.
  • Experts found dozens of coral species at Astola Island in Balochistan in 2020.

Sources:

  • Pakistan's Foreign Office
  • United Nations Headquarters
  • "BBNJ Agreement" (adopted June 19, 2023)
  • Unclos (adopted 1982, entered into force 1994)
  • Pakistan's Foreign Office on X